The Social Security System

IBM was a key player in the US government realizing the goals set forth by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his newly formed Social Security Administration. As this video and audio gallery shows, IBM was present from the earliest days of the initiative to help manage such an unprecedented undertaking.

1936 IBM advertisement

Cover from a 1936 IBM booklet on payrolls, reports and statistics

The pioneering technology collaboration between the Social Security Administration and IBM was crucial to the success of the Social Security Act, a piece of New Deal legislation that has changed the lives of hundreds of millions of retired American workers and their families since its inception in 1937.

1937 IBM advertisement for automating payroll

1937 IBM advertisement for automating payroll

1936 IBM advertisement for automating payroll

1937 IBM advertisement for punched cards

Your Social Security

This film, from 1940, explains the benefits and process of the US Social Security system. Beginning at 12:30, the video explains some of the inner workings of the Social Security system and shows IBM processing Social Security operations, specifically at the 14:00 mark and again at 14:20.

Remarks of Frances Perkins, August 15, 1960

Commemorating the silver anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act, former Secretary of Labor and the first female cabinet member Frances Perkins speaks about the early days of the Social Security system.

How a bill becomes a law

In this video, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt ratifies the Social Security Act of 1935, making it law, and speaks briefly on the Act’s importance.

How Social Security has made a difference in my life

Watch the 2010 winning video from the “How Social Security has made a difference in my life” contest, sponsored by the Social Security Administration.

Most popular baby names

At the end of every year, the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Actuary releases the most highly selected baby names. For 2010, the most popular boy’s name was Jacob, while most popular girl’s name was Isabella.

Boldly Go

As time and technology have progressed, Social Security has needed to continue to educate people on how the system works, especially in the internet age. Here Patty Duke and George Takei appear in one of quite a few Star Trek-inspired Social Security 2011 awareness campaign ads.